Pro-western Arab governments have sharply criticised Hizbullah for provoking Israel's onslaught on Lebanon.
Far from backing the Lebanese militia's attempt to take the fight to the Arab world's traditional enemy, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the Gulf states - but not Syria -- this week jointly condemned the group's "irresponsible and unacceptable acts". Their stand has come as a welcome surprise to Israel and its US backers.
The exact opposite reaction is evident on the Arab street. Sympathy for Lebanon's civilians is matched by growing outrage at Israel's response and the perceived impotence and acquiescence of Arab leaders.
"Hizbullah has gained a lot of respect among Arabs for the way it has taken on the Israelis," said Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding.
Alarm about Hizbullah was also rooted in fears in ruling circles of a Sunni-Shia schism in the Arab world, Mr Doyle said.
Claims by Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah that his movement was Islam's bold new standard- bearer have sent a chill up the spines of the region's conservative, authoritarian Sunni regimes.
"Hizbullah is not fighting a battle for Hizbullah or even for Lebanon," Sheikh Nasrallah said this week. "We are now fighting a battle for the [ Islamic] nation."